FILE - In this July 31, 2011 file photo, singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle performs at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, R.I. Earle, a leading performer of American roots music known for his introspective and haunting style, has died at age 38. New West Records publicist Brady Brock confirmed his death, but did not immediately provide details. Earle was the son of country star Steve Earle. (AP Photo/Joe Giblin, file)FILE - This Nov. 28, 2010 photo shows Justin Townes Earle in Nashville, Tenn. Earle, a leading performer of American roots music known for his introspective and haunting style, has died at age 38. New West Records publicist Brady Brock confirmed his death, but did not immediately provide details. Earle was the son of country star Steve Earle. (AP Photo/Josh Anderson, File)
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FILE - In this July 31, 2011 file photo, singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle performs at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, R.I. Earle, a leading performer of American roots music known for his introspective and haunting style, has died at age 38. New West Records publicist Brady Brock confirmed his death, but did not immediately provide details. Earle was the son of country star Steve Earle. (AP Photo/Joe Giblin, file)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville police said a preliminary investigation into the death of singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle shows his death was a probable drug overdose.
Police spokesman Don Aaron said officers did a welfare check at Earle's home on Sunday where he was found dead. A friend called police after no one had heard from the 38-year-old since Thursday. Aaron said there were no signs of a struggle or foul play. Autopsy results are pending.
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Earle was a leading performer of American roots music known for his introspective and haunting style. He was the son of country star Steve Earle, although the younger Earle was mostly raised by his single mother, Carol-Ann.
A conscious throwback to old-time country and blues music, Earle released such albums as “Harlem River Blues” and “The Saint of Lost Causes” and was named Emerging Act of the Year at the 2009 Americana Honors & Awards ceremony. He wrote often of loneliness, flight and forgiveness, and he was open in interviews about his rough childhood and his addictions.
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